Our Gift

“Natalie was our gift. Our gift from you.
The best thing and the only thing you ever gave us.”

written by Andrew Rimmer and directed by Kevin Foott

Elizabeth and Dudley are two of the 200,000 grandparents raising their grandchildren in the UK. Caring can be one of the very hardest jobs in the world but for Elizabeth, looking after her 18 year old granddaughter Natalie with highly complex special needs and autism, is the singular most important thing she will ever do.

Both Elizabeth and Dudley are battling their own declining health and, with age taking hold, a husband has to convince his wife that it is time to let Natalie go. But what is the future for Natalie? Elizabeth has to decide what is the greatest threat to her granddaughter: her growing senescence, social services or her own daughter’s intentions.

With an aging population and so many grandparents tasked today with a second parenthood, Our Gift explores with humour and sadness the turmoil facing many families today in households held together by unsung heroes: carers.

The Cast

Jackie Connolly

Jackie Connolly is a talented actor of many years experience who brings all of that and more to the role of Elizabeth in Our Gift.

Allan Williams

Allan Williams is an educational theatre practitioner with the Everyman/Playhouse whose expertise is in directing but relished the acting challenge the role of Dudley brings.

Cassandra Richardson

Cassie Richardson is a LIPA trained actress who is currently enjoying being involved with a murder mystery company. She found the role of Emily an exciting challenge compared to those she normally plays.

The Director

Kevin Foott

Kevin Foott, a semi-professional actor for many years, is excited to be directing the new piece of writing that is Our Gift, an exceptional piece by a local writer. A child prodigy who learnt the error of his ways, Kevin is now focused on directing.

The Writer

Andrew Rimmer is a member of Liverpool Lantern Theatre’s Writers Development Group where two short plays have been performed at ‘scratch nights’ which are under development to be full length productions. His hour-long play ‘Follow/Unfollow’ exploring the rise of YouTube vloggers was in fringe festivals in Manchester, Buxton and Liverpool in July 2015.